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Waving the flag doesn’t make you a patriot. The same goes for wearing a miniature flag as a lapel pin - owning a flag doesn’t automatically make you better than another American. A patriot celebrates the flag, but that doesn’t define a patriot.
So what is a patriot? The dictionary states that a patriot is “a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.” We understand what it means to “defend” our country – it means to serve in the armed forces. But what does it mean to “support” our country?
My interpretation is that it means to support our form of government – that is, a democracy. It means voting to elect your representatives and supporting those elected whether or not they are from your party. You don’t have to agree with them, but if they are elected by a fair vote of the people, you ought to support them. It also means paying your taxes and observing the laws. If you disagree with a law, you can vote to change it, but a patriot must obey the law until it’s peaceably changed. Patriots support those who preserve the law - the police, the National Guard, the FBI, and other law enforcement agencies.
Supporting our country means to give an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. It also means earning a fair profit but not an excessive one that shortchanges an allegedly patriotic business owners’ employees. It means dealing fairly and honestly with both your customers and employees.
Supporting our country means supporting the Constitution and Bill of Rights. A patriot protects freedom of religion, regardless of his or her own faith. A patriot protects the right to freedom of speech even though he or she doesn’t agree with the speaker, freedom of the press even though he or she doesn’t agree with what is written, freedom to assemble even if he or she is not part of the assembly, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures regardless of who is being searched, and the due process under the law for everyone.
A patriot knows that if even one single person’s rights are restricted, no one is free.
Last but not least, patriots - even if they do not serve in the armed forces – support those that do serve.
So what is a patriot? The dictionary states that a patriot is “a person who vigorously supports their country and is prepared to defend it against enemies or detractors.” We understand what it means to “defend” our country – it means to serve in the armed forces. But what does it mean to “support” our country?
My interpretation is that it means to support our form of government – that is, a democracy. It means voting to elect your representatives and supporting those elected whether or not they are from your party. You don’t have to agree with them, but if they are elected by a fair vote of the people, you ought to support them. It also means paying your taxes and observing the laws. If you disagree with a law, you can vote to change it, but a patriot must obey the law until it’s peaceably changed. Patriots support those who preserve the law - the police, the National Guard, the FBI, and other law enforcement agencies.
Supporting our country means to give an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay. It also means earning a fair profit but not an excessive one that shortchanges an allegedly patriotic business owners’ employees. It means dealing fairly and honestly with both your customers and employees.
Supporting our country means supporting the Constitution and Bill of Rights. A patriot protects freedom of religion, regardless of his or her own faith. A patriot protects the right to freedom of speech even though he or she doesn’t agree with the speaker, freedom of the press even though he or she doesn’t agree with what is written, freedom to assemble even if he or she is not part of the assembly, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures regardless of who is being searched, and the due process under the law for everyone.
A patriot knows that if even one single person’s rights are restricted, no one is free.
Last but not least, patriots - even if they do not serve in the armed forces – support those that do serve.
Patriotism
Pride
United States
American Flag
Command Post
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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Thank you, LTC. I have believed I was a patriot since my teen years. After reading your dissertation on patriotism; this writer qualify's.
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Jury duty is another form of Patriotism and Constitutional duties. This is often overlooked by the "warrior centric" conceits of the nation, but our form of justice depends upon this particular method of citizenship. In particular, the military, which is exempt from this burden of the civilian courts, may not entirely appreciate this essential Constitutional structure, albeit without prejudice.
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What is a Patriot? A Patriot is a person with pride in his/her country the degree that he/she not only serve his or her country but sought out a career to protect and defend it. Yes you can be a Patriot without serving but I call a person that servers and put his/her life on the line a “Real Patriot” Defense means in all form from the military to other who swear to protect and defend like police and firemen. If you can put your life on the line to protect and defend others who cannot for themselves, in my book, you are a Patriot.
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A Patriot. I am a Patriot, proud of my Country's Heritage and the men who brought it to us. Humbled by the Flag waving in the breeze and the thought of how much was given for each star and stripe through the years. A Patriot is loyal to America......Oath Keeper and Sheepdog, Protector of the Flock..
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